Pressure pulse probe for animal behavior correction

ABSTRACT

An animal control device directs a pressure pulse wave to an animal as a negative stimulus to deter undesired behavior. The animal control device includes a collar worn by an animal with a pressure pulse generator probe in contact with the animal&#39;s skin. The pressure pulse wave applied may be adjustable commensurate with the severity of undesired behavior. In one embodiment, the animal control device contains a remote transmitter for a trainer to administer a pressure pulse manually and at a desired intensity. In an alternate embodiment, the animal control device may contain a bark sensor to administer a pressure pulse when the animal produces undesirable barking. Alternatively, the animal control device may contain a sensor for directing a pressure pulse if an animal strays from a desired confined location.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/442,288entitled “PRESSURE PULSE PROBE FOR ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CORRECTION”, filedNov. 19, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,697.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an animal control system and inparticular, an animal control system which directs a pressure pulse waveto the skin of an animal for curbing undesirable animal behavior.

2. Description of the Related Art

Animal trainers as well as animal owners often have to administer anegative stimulus (i.e., correction) to an animal being trained toreinforce the correction of undesirable behavior. In order for thenegative reinforcement to be effective, the negative stimulus mustinvoke a sensation of discomfort sufficient to discourage the animalfrom repeating the undesired behavior. It is advantageous to have thenegative stimulus be administered in a humane and safe fashion. Inaddition, it is desirable that the negative stimulus not irritate norjeopardize the welfare of the trainer.

Current systems of negative stimulus include spanking the animal with arolled up newspaper, generating offensive smells or sounds, and applyingelectric shock. Use of electric shock has attained a great degree ofsuccess towards meeting the coals of an ideal negative stimulus system.Electric correction systems provide a convenient use and allow a trainerto select a level of correction stimulus. However, certain individualsmay not wish to apply an electrical stimulus to their pet.

What is needed in the art is an animal correction system that does notirritate the trainer, that is humane, and provides a level of discomfortthat is adjustable commensurate with the severity of undesirablebehavior.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an animal control device which directs apressure pulse wave to the skin of an animal as a technique forcorrecting undesirable animal behavior.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an animal control deviceadapted to be in contact with the skin of an animal which produces apressure pulse. The animal control device comprises a collar and apressure pulse generator for producing a pressure pulse. A controller isoperatively associated with the pressure pulse generator for selectivelygenerating the pressure pulse. In one particular further embodiment, theanimal control device comprises a receiver operatively associated with acontroller. In yet a further embodiment, a transmitter is operativelyassociated with the controller.

The invention in another embodiment thereof is a method of providinganimal control. The method comprises applying a pressure pulse wavegenerating collar to an animal. The animal is monitored and undesirablebehavior is identified A pressure pulse wave is directed to the animalwhen undesirable behavior is detected.

An advantage of the present invention is that a humane negative stimulusmay be administered to an animal to deter undesirable behavior. Throughthe use of a pressure pulse wave, a negative stimulus is applied to theskin of an animal for the correction of undesirable behavior.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the intensity ofnegative stimulus may be controlled.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ease of use of theanimal control device.

An additional advantage of the present invention is an animal controldevice which can operate automatically, i.e., without humanintervention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal control device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pressure pulse generator;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the pressurepulse generator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view orthogonal to that of FIG. 2, shown in partialcross-section of the pressure pulse generator of FIG. 1 prior to themovement of the impactor;

FIG. 5 is the pressure pulse generator of FIG. 3 shown with the impactorin its superior position adjacent in the tip;

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting the interrelationship of the components ofan animal control device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an animal control device according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, andsuch exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there isshown an embodiment of an animal control device 10 of the presentinvention. Animal control device includes collar 12 and pressure pulsegenerator 14. Pressure pulse generator 14 includes enclosure 16 whichhouses the mechanism by which the pressure pulse generator 14 produces apressure pulse wave. Extending radially inward from enclosure 16 isprobe 18 having tip 20. Collar 12 is adapted to fit around an animal'sneck. Collar 12 includes an adjustable strap 21 with buckle 23permitting collar 12 to accommodate the varying sizes of necks ofdifferent animals. Collar 12 is adjustable to permit tip 20 to be incontact with the skin of an animal's throat when collar 12 is securelyfastened around the animal's neck. During operation of animal controldevice 10, a compression wave is generated within probe 18 and proceedsalong tip 20. The compression wave leaves tip 20 as a pressure pulsewave is applied to the skin of the animal.

Referring now to FIG. 2, pressure pulse generator 14 is anelectronically controlled, pneumatically powered device Pressure pulsegenerator 14 comprises probe 18, tip 20 and valve 22. In addition,pressure pulse generator 14 contains a battery, gas cylinder, and apressure reuulator (not shown) The battery, gas cylinder and pressureregulator may be any standard commercial design. The gas cylinder andpressure regulator provide a gas flow at a constant pressure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, gas flow at a constant regulated pressureenters the inlet side of valve 22 through inlet tube 24. Solenoid 26includes input leads 28 attached to windings 30. Windings 30 encirclebobbin 32 which surrounds sleeve 34 and adjustment slug 36. Bobbin 32and sleeve 34 are constructed of a non-ferrous material. Sleeve 34 isretained by cover plate 38. The outer diameter of slug 36 may bethreaded to mate with sleeve end 40 so that rotation of adjustment slug36 causes a proportional translation of slug 36 within sleeve 34.Alternatively, adjustment slug 36 may be adhesively bound or press fitonto sleeve 34.

Stem 42 is disposed within sleeve 34 and reciprocates within sleeve 34.Gap 44 is maintained between bottom face 46 of adjustment slug 36 andtop face 48 of stem 42. Adjustment slug 36 and stem 42 are constructedof a magnetizable material.

Longitudinally opposite slug 36, stem 42 is enlarged from a boss 50 withrecess 52 which retains an elastomeric disk 54. Compression spring 56applies a biasing force against stem 42 to press elastomeric disk 54tightly against tubular boss face 57 of orifice plate 58. Orifice plate58 includes orifice plate bore 60 which runs through orifice plate 58and is aligned with manifold bore 62 and manifold plate 64. Gas flowfrom a pressure regulator (not shown) enters valve 22 through tube 24which is captured in housing bore 66 of housing 68.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, gas flow enters pressure wave generator 70from manifold bore 62 through coupling bore 72 of coupling 74. Pressurewave generator 70 includes impactor 76 which translates freely withinguide tube 78. FIG. 4 depicts pressure pulse generator 70 prior toactivation with impactor 76 disposed in guide tube 78 adjacent couplingbore 72. FIG. 5 depicts the pressure pulse generator 70 when a pressurepulse wave is generated. During pressure pulse wave generation, impactor76 traverse guide tube 78 from its initial position adjacent couplingbore 72 (FIG. 4) to its final position against tip 20 (FIG. 5).

The pressure of gas within guide tube 78 acts against bottom impactorsurface 80. As a result of the gas pressure, a force is applied uponimpactor bottom surface 80 which accelerates impactor 76 upward withinguide tube 78. The outer diameter of impactor 76 is chosen to beslightly smaller than the inner diameter of guide tube 78 so that theimpactor 76 translates freely within guide tube 78 while providing aminimal gas leakage between impactor 76 and guide tube 78. Impactor 76attains kinetic energy as it transverse the guide tube 76 from couplingend 82 towards distal end 84 where the impactor strikes tip bottomsurface 86 of tip 20.

Tip end face 88 is in contact with the skin of the animal when theanimal control device is properly secured to an animal's neck. Thesurface area of tip end face 88 is a relevant parameter effecting theperformance of probe 18. Surface diameters ranging from {fraction(1/64)} to {fraction (3/16)}, preferably between {fraction (3/64)} to{fraction (3/32)} of an inch were found to provide optimal results. Asthe surface area was reduced below {fraction (3/64)}, possible skinirritation could occur. As the tip surface diameter was increased beyond{fraction (3/32)}, it became difficult to impart sufficient kineticenergy to the impactor to result in an applied pressure pulse ofsufficient amplitude to provide adequate discomfort to the animal todiscourage difficult to correct behavior such as chasing prey orattacking other animals.

Tip 20 is free to translate within probe 18. Probe compression spring 90applies a biasing force against tip 20 to hold tip 20 against ledge 92of tip bore 94. When gas pressure is not applied to impactor 76, tip 20is retracted within tip bore 94. Outlet 96 allows gas flow from guidetube 78 to exit the pressure wave generator 70 through outlet cavity 98located between guide tube 78 and pressure wave generator wall 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, during the operation of animal control device10, constant gas pressure is supplied by compressed gas cylinder 110through pressure regulator 120 to valve 22. An operator uses thecorrection level selector 140 to adjust the level of correction in termsof the amplitude (i.e., the intensity) of pressure pulse to begenerated. A consistent or constant gas pressure is supplied to valve 22prior to valve 22 opening.

Pressure pulse width modulation circuit 150 directs current flow vialine 155 to solenoid valve 22. Mechanical pressure pulse generator 70produces a pressure pulse wave correction stimulus (block 170) having apulse width corresponding to the correction level selected. Thecorrection stimulus is directed to an animal in the form of a negativestimulus to curb undesired behavior.

Specifically, during operation of the animal control device, a pressurepulse wave of desired width is produced when direct current flows inwindings 30 of solenoid 26 (FIG. 3). The current flow creates a magneticfield which magnetizes adjustment slug 36 and stem 42. Slug 36 and stem42 attract one another and stem 42 is pulled towards the stationaryadjustment slug 36, thereby closing gap 44 between slug 36 and stem 42.As stem 42 translates towards slug 36, disk 54 is pulled away fromorifice plate 58 thereby allowing pressurized gas to flow from thecompressed gas cylinder (not shown) and pressure regulator (not shown)through tube 24 and housing bore 66 through orifice bore 60 and on tomanifold bore 62.

The gas flow enters pressure wave generator 70 where the expanding gasimparts kinetic energy to the impactor 76 as the impactor is propelledin guide tube 7S toward tip bottom surface 86 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Gas inguide tube 78 is expelled out through outlet 96, down through outletcavity 98, and out vent 102 (FIG. 2).

Impactor 76 continues transversing guide tube 78 until impactor 76strikes tip bottom surface 86 (FIG. 5). A mechanical compression wave isgenerated as a result of impactor 76 striking tip bottom surface 86. Themechanical compression wave travels along tip 20 from tip bottom surface86 to tip end 88. The action of the compression wave traveling throughtip 20 causes a slight upward (i.e., radially inward relative to collar12) displacement of tip 20 thereby compressing probe compression spring90.

When the tip end 88 contacts with an animal's skin, the compression waveleaves the tip 20 as a pressure wave pulse that enters the animal'sskin. The pressure wave pulse excites local neurons within the animal'sneck. The excitation of local neurons provides a mode of stimulus to ananimal to effect correction of an animal's undesired behavior.

When all of the kinetic energy produced in impactor 76 as impactor 76traverses guide tube 70 has been transferred to tip 20, probecompression spring 90 returns tip 20 to its pre-impact position.Impactor 76 is pushed by the action of tip 20 returning to its initialposition and impactor 76 continues to travel away from tip 20 under theinfluence of the push from tip 20 moving to its initial position.

The intensity of the pressure wave pulse is related to the volume of gassupplied behind impactor 76. Therefore, it is possible to adjust theintensity of the pressure wave pulse applied to an animal by varying thevolume of gas supplied behind impactor 76. The volume of gas suppliedbehind impactor 76 is determined by the length of time solenoid valve 22is open. The length of time solenoid valve 22 is open is controlled bythe length of time a current flow is supplied to solenoid windings 30.The length of time current flow is supplied to windings 30 is operatorselectable via correction level selector 140 operatively associated withpulse width modulation circuit 150 (FIG. 6).

The animal control device may be selected to apply a pressure pulse froma maximum pressure wave pulse to a minimum pressure wave pulse. Amaximum pressure wave pulse is produced when current flow is supplied tosolenoid 22 at a maximum duration. The maximum duration is the length oftime sufficient to allow a volume of gas to be introduced behindimpactor 76 such that the pressure of the gas remains constant asimpactor 76 completely transverses guide tube 78 and strikes tip 20. Asthe current flow duration decreases from its maximum, the volume of gasintroduced behind the impactor becomes insufficient to maintain aconstant pressure as impactor 76 moves along guide tube towards tip 20and the volume behind the impactor increases. The increase in volumebehind impactor 76 results in a proportional decrease in gas pressure asimpactor 76 transverses in guide tube 78. The resulting force applied bythe expanding gas behind impactor 76 similarly decreases with anassociated reduction in impactor 76 velocity and kinetic energy at theinstant of impact of impactor 76 with tip 20. A lower amplitudecompression wave is propagated through the tip 20 with an associatedreduction in amplitude of pressure wave pulse applied to an animal'sskin. Successive reductions in current flow duration result inproportional reduction in the correction stimulus level.

FIG. 7 depicts a diagrammatic view of one particular embodiment ofanimal control device 10. Hand held remote 180 is used to set theintensity and to direct a command to apply a pressure wave pulse to ananimal to control undesired behavior Hand held remote ISO transmits anRF signal 182 to receiver 184 Receiver 184 sends a receiver signal vialine 156 to controller 188. Controller 18S receives the signal over line186 and outputs a signal via line 190 representing the current flowduration corresponding to the intensity selected via the handheld remote180. Current flow via line 190 is directed to pressure pulse generator14 which in turn produces a corresponding pressure wave pulse 194corresponding to the intensity selected.

In addition, a plurality of sensors may be operatively associated withcontroller 188. For example, a barking sensor 196 detects an animal'sbarking as an audio signal and directs a barking signal over line 202 tocontroller 188 which in turn administers a pressure pulse wave to theanimal as a negative stimulus in response to the barking animal.

In addition, animal control device 10 may be sensitive to a wire 206 ora boundary transmitter (not shown) present within an area which is usedto confine an animal. For example, if the animal were to stray outside aselected area, or approach a buried wire 206, receiver 184 directs asignal over line 186 to controller 188 which in turn initiates apressure pulse wave by pressure wave generator 70.

Alternatively, a boundary transmitter (not shown) could be disposedinside an area in which the animal is prohibited. When the animal entersthe prohibited area, receiver 184 receives the transmitted signal and apressure pulse wave is generated as a negative stimulus to the animal.Consequently, the animal's improper behavior of entering a restrictedarea is deterred. Thus, an animal's behavior may be monitored andcontrolled without human monitoring.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure This application is therefore intended to coverany variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing animal control, comprisingthe steps of: applying a collar to an animal, said collar including apressure pulse generator having a probe with an impactor movablydisposed therein; monitoring the animal; identifying undesirablebehavior from monitoring the animal; moving said impactor by a flow of agas within said probe, thereby imparting kinetic energy to saidimpactor; and directing a mechanical compression wave from said impactorto the skin of the animal when undesirable behavior is detected.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said monitoring step comprises visuallyobserving the animal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said monitoringstep comprises utilizing a sensor.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thesensor monitors barking.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensormonitors animal location.
 6. The method of claim 1, herein said step ofdirecting a pressure pulse further comprises transmitting a pressurepulse signal from a remote source to the collar.
 7. The animal controlmethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting an intensityof the pressure pulse wave intensity directed to the skin of the animal.